Parking rules and signs

Road Rule 179 - Stopping in a Loading Zone

Offence Code: Stop in a loading zone or Exceed time in a loading zone

Loading Zones are provided for commercial vehicle loading or unloading only. A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed (other conditions may also apply). Eligible vehicles must display the full name and address of the registered operator. Passenger vehicles cannot stop in a loading zone, even if loading or unloading.

The sign indicates a loading zone exists in the direction of the arrow/s.

Road Rule 167 - Stopping in a No Stopping area

Offence Code: Disobey No Stopping

A vehicle must not stop in a No Stopping zone for any reason or any length of time. Passengers must not be picked up or dropped off in this area. No Stopping zones exist to maintain safety and traffic flow.

This sign indicates a No Stopping zone in the direction of the arrow/s.

Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - no valid voucher

Offence Code: Expired voucher / voucher not displayed

In some off-street carparks, a voucher must be displayed to show that payment has been made. Where a sign says "VOUCHER", you must pay for parking, while also abiding by the time limit on the sign. The vehicle must not remain parked in the zone beyond the time period for which payment has been made. Even if that period does not exceed the maximum parking time displayed on the sign.

For example, "2P VOUCHER" = 2 hour time limit pay for parking at the voucher machine. To obtain a voucher, go to the nearest voucher machine and follow the instructions. The voucher must be displayed clearly on your vehicle's dashboard.

Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - Meter expired

Offence Code: Expired meter

If a sign says "METER" or "PAID AREA", you must pay for parking either at the meter or on the EasyPark app. You must also abide by the time limit indicated on the sign. The vehicle must not remain parked in the zone beyond the time period for which payment has been made. Even if that period does not exceed the maximum parking time displayed on the sign.

Time starts as soon as you stop in the bay. You must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached. Making extra payments (known as 'feeding the meter') will not reset the time limit.

The example sign indicates that the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday. During those times, payment must be made to adequately cover the length of stay, up to a maximum stay of 30 minutes.

Local Government (Highways) Act 1982 - Parked for period longer than indicated

Offence Code: Exceed maximum time limit on a parking meter

A vehicle may be parked only for the period of time displayed on the relevant sign. In this example, ¹/₂P indicates a maximum length of stay of 30 minutes. The word "METER" indicates that payment is required via a meter or by using the EasyPark app. Time starts as soon as you stop in the bay.

A vehicle must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached. Making extra payments (known as 'feeding the meter') will not reset the time limit.

The example sign indicates that the maximum length of stay is 30 minutes between 9 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday. There are no parking restrictions outside of those times.

Road Rule 205 - Parked for period longer than indicated

Offence Code: Parked in excess of time allowed

A vehicle may park only for the indicated period of time. This is represented by a number, immediately followed by the letter "P". For example, "2P" = 2 hour maximum stay within the parking zone. Time starts as soon as you stop in the zone. Vehicles must vacate both the parking bay and zone when the maximum time limit is reached.

The example sign indicates free, maximum 2 hour parking from 7 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday.

Road Rule 176 - Stopping on a clearway

Offence Code: Stop on a clearway

Clearways improve traffic flow at the busiest times of the day. You cannot stop your car between clearway signs during the times specified on the sign.

Outside of the times specified on the signs, the other signed parking restrictions apply.

The example sign indicates there is a clearway from 4 pm to 6 pm Monday to Friday in the direction of the arrow/s.

Stopping your vehicle on or too close to a children's crossing can be dangerous. A child entering the crossing might not be able to see or be seen by an approaching car.

When a children's crossing is in operation (i.e. when the flags are displayed) you must not stop:

• on a children's crossing
• within 20 m before the crossing
• within 10 m after the crossing.

This means that even stopping to let a child out or pick a child up is an offence.

These restrictions don't apply when flags aren't displayed and the crossing is unattended.

However, if there is also a 'No Stopping' sign at the approach to the crossing, you must obey it at all times.

Parking your vehicle too close to an intersection can be dangerous. It can block the view of the traffic for pedestrians and other drivers. It can also restrict other drivers' turning space.

A driver must not stop in an intersection or on a road within 20 m of an intersection with traffic lights.

A driver must not stop in an intersection or on a road within 10 m of an intersection without traffic lights.

This rule does not apply if you are parked in a marked parking bay controlled by a parking meter.

Yellow lines can appear at the edge of the pavement or alongside the gutter. This indicates that you are not permitted to stop your vehicle for any amount of time. This includes stopping without leaving leave the vehicle.

When parking on a two-way road you must park the vehicle facing the direction of travel. You must get the left wheels of the car as close to the kerb as you can. If there are no marked parking bays, leave at least 1m between you and the cars in front and behind.

When parking on a one-way road you must park the vehicle facing the direction of travel. Park as near as possible to the far left or far right side of the road. Unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.

You must park at least 3m from a continuous dividing line (single or double) or dividing strip. Unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.

You must also leave 3m of road alongside the vehicle that is clear for other vehicles to pass. Unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.

If there are marked parking bays on the road you must only park within the marked lines. You must not park partly in and partly out of parking areas.

You must not stop on or across your own or another person's driveway. This includes parking close to the driveway so that you obstruct a vehicle from driving in or out.

You are not allowed to stop any part of your vehicle on a footpath, bicycle path, nature strip or painted island. Parking even two wheels on a footpath can cause a hazard for pedestrians who are forced to walk on the road.

Median strips are areas that run down the centre of a road to divide the two lanes of traffic. You are not allowed to park on median strips unless a sign expressly permits it.

Permit zones are restricted for permit holders only. These are usually reserved spaces for long-term parking.

You are not authorised to park in a permit zone if you:

• are a Transport Access Scheme member
• have a residential parking permit
• have a voucher

Some parking signs in residential areas say "Authorised Residents Vehicles Excepted". This means:

• the area is free for use by any member of the public for the time limit
• eligible resident with a permit can park in the zone for as long as they wish.

Some residential parking areas are clearways during specific peak times. Parking fines will not be withdrawn if a permit holder remains parked in a clearway.

Find more information on the residential parking page.